Helen B. Solander

Helen Berkey Shank Solander, 96, affectionately called Junebug, of Couer D’Alene, Idaho, passed away Saturday, March 18, 2017 with her loving daughter, Carole, and son-in-law, Bob, by her side.

She was born in Goshen June 25, 1920 to Wilbert and Elva (Berkey) Shank and was raised by various caring family members following her mother’s untimely death.

Helen attended schools in Elkhart and Fort Wayne as well as Indiana University and received her RN from Grant Hospital (Chicago) School of Nursing in 1941.

On March 27, 1941 she married Dr. Carl K. Solander and settled in Chicago where they raised three children.  The family shared many happy memories during summers past on Corey Lake, Michigan.

Helen dedicated her time and talents to numerous civic and charitable organizations for which she devoted countless hours through the years including Seeing Eye Chicago (Region Captain 1955-6); United Charities Chicago (Member, Benefit Exec. Committee 1956-60); Girl Scouts USA Cookie Drive Chicago (Chairman 1957); Latin School Chicago Parent Council (Vice-Chairman 1958-59, Co-Chairman Book Fair, 1959-60); Women’s Div. Drive Crusade of Mercy Chicago (Regional Co-Chairman 1957, 1960, Regional Chairman 1958, V.P. 1959); Bargains Unlimited Board, Chicago, (Treasurer 1960, President 1961-62); Chicago People to People Book Drive (General Regional Chairman 1961); Member, Women’s Board Grant Hospital Chicago (Nominee Almoner Award 1961); Chicago Heart Association (Building Chairman); Chicago Heart Fund Campaign (Chairman, 1968); Regent of General Henry Dearborn DAR Chapter (1980-84); DAR (State Officer 1981-82); Grant Hospital Gift Ship (1970-1995, Volunteer Chairman 1970-78).  She was also a member of the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations, the Chicago Historical Society and the English-Speaking Union.  She was a Presbyterian and lifelong Republican.

Helen was a devoted and loving mother and enjoyed reading and researching her genealogy.  She followed Indiana basketball and was a particular fan of Notre Dame football, having grown up in Notre Dame’s back yard during the Knute Rockne years.  She also loved airplanes and enjoyed relating her experiences flying in an open cockpit with her brother-in-law.

Helen is preceded in death by her husband, her parents, a brother, Cyrus Shank and sisters, Madge Lanning and Ada Holmes.

Survivors include a daughter, H. Carole (Bob) Dolan of Coeur D'Alene, Idaho; two sons, Carl Solander of Grand Marais, Minnesota and Alan (JoNell) Solander of Falmouth, Maine; grandchildren, Melissa (Bob) Genovese of Whitefish, Montana, Matt (Deanna) Dolan of Thompson Station, Tennessee, Carl (Gillian Feiner) Solander of Belmont, Massachusetts, Heidi Solander of New York City, Kurt Solander of Santa Fe, New Mexico and Kristin Solander, ofWashington D.C. and five great grandchildren, Olivia and Mason Genovese, Talia and Ivy Solander and Isaiah Dolan.

A graveside service will be conducted 11 a.m., Monday, April 3, 2017 at West Goshen Cemetery.